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| View of the Field of Miracles as you enter via the main gate |
Mention the Field of Miracles Pisa and you might be forgiven if you do not know what that is. However, mention the Leaning Tower of Pisa and chances are that you have heard of it and most probably even have an idea of what it looks like. That is how famous the Leaning Tower of Pisa is!
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| The entrance to the Field of Miracles |
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| Map of the Field of Miracles - La Piazza del Duomo |
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| The Leaning Tower of Pisa |
It is true that the main attraction in the Field of Miracles is none other than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This was constructed as the bell tower or Campanile of the Duomo (Pisa Cathedral). Construction on the bell tower began in 1173 and took close to 200 years to complete.
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| Construction history of the Leaning Tower of Pisa |
Here are some interesting Leaning Tower of Pisa facts as depicted on the signboards:-
- Construction began in August 1173 and continued for 5 years before stopping for reasons unknown
- One hundred years later, in 1272, construction resumed for the next 6 years before stopping again
- After another almost hundred years, building resumed in 1360 and finally completed in 1370
- As of today, most of the original San Giuliano marble had to be gradually replaced with white Carrara marble
- Studies and analyses of the interactions between the environmental conditions and the Tower have shown that erosion, stone decay, calcium sulphate deposition and build up of lime encrustations are to be linked to the impact of rainfall and other forms of water particles, as well as the various ways water flows over the surface
- Computerization showed that black crusts covered 1,968 m2, decay of stone affected 2,086 m2 and cracks extended for 8,658 m.
- Conservation methods were identified and the restoration project scheduled for completion in 2010
In 1998, due to the tilt, nobody was allowed to go up the Leaning Tower of Pisa as it was considered too dangerous until after renovations were done.
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| The tilt causing the 'leaning tower' |
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| Contrast between before and after restoration |
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| Another contrast of before and after restoration |
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| Beautiful and detailed |
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| Lovely to admire |
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| The leaning tower of Pisa in its relation to the Pisa Cathedral |
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| Helping gravity? |
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| Pisa cathedral |
The medieval Pisa Cathedral, a five-naved cathedral, is the heart of the Field of Miracles and was constructed in 1064. With a distinctive Pisan Romanesque style for its exterior, the Pisa Cathedral shows a strong Byzantine influence for its interior in terms of its pointed arches.
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| The West facade of the Pisa Cathedral |
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| View of the Pisa Cathedral with the Leaning Tower of Pisa |
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| Pisa Baptistry |
Construction of the Baptistry of St John, also known as the Pisa Baptistry due to its location near the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, started in 1152 and was completed only in 1363. Constructed in marble, this is the largest baptistry in Italy.
Most tourists coming to spend their holidays in Tuscany would definitely make a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Duomo (Pisa Cathedral) and the Pisa Baptistry. If you have not visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you have not seen Tuscany, Italy. :) Many though would miss the Campo Santo or monumental cemetery located at the far end of the Cathedral Square.
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| Campo Santo - monumental cemetery |
The Cathedral Square in which the Field of Miracles is located on is next to the oldest medieval city walls built in 1155. In 1987, the whole square was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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| The medieval city walls |
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| A little fountain nearby |
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| A tourist attraction would not be one without the availability to get some great souvenirs |
Due to the weak subsoil, the buildings in Cathedral Square have tilted since construction.
